The _Lord of the Rings Online_ brings the world of J.R.R. Tolkien to the MMO
community. Middle-earth is represented accurately in this game, with the
majority of locations from the books found throughout the game world. The
original release of this game comes with the lands of Eriador, where the Shire
and Rivendell are located. Players will have the chance to meet many
characters from the books, from Gandalf and Bilbo to Frodo and Samwise.

Players can choose from 4 races – hobbit, elf, dwarf, or human and seven
classes. The classes range from the warrior class of Guardian to the archer
class of Hunter and the wizard class of Lore-Master. Although the classes
appear to be similar to classes in other games, they have unique qualities to
them in this one. For example, the wizard class (Lore-Master) uses pets and
the rogue class (Burglar) isn’t a DPS class.

Similar to other MMORPG games, this game has players travelling the game
world, doing quests, killing creatures, and crafting things. However, rather
than making grinding a requirement to level up, quests are where the
experience is located. Killing creatures gives very little experience in an
effort to decrease the amount of grinding done in the game. Crafting is also
somewhat unique. Players choose a vocation that includes 3 professions. Two of
the professions will go together, such as prospecting and weaponsmithing, but
the third profession will require working with other players to obtain the
necessary materials for the profession. This design was chosen to get players
working together in the game.

Beyond questing, there is also a Deed system, where you complete Deeds by
doing certain things such as killing a certain number of goblins, or locating
certain places, or delivering the mail. When a Deed is completed, the player
earns either a Trait or a Title. Titles are just names for your character to
use. Other players will see whichever Title you use, such as Brewmaster or
Honorary Shiriff. Traits are bonuses to attributes, skills, resistances, etc.
There are only a limited number of slots available for Traits, so each player
will need to choose the Traits that are most useful to them.

PvP in the game is limited to a single location of the world, the Ettenmoors.
It is here that you have PvMP (Player vs. Monster Player). At level 10,
players can start playing as 5 different monsters within the Ettenmoors.
Players choosing this option will start at the maximum level of 50 and will
not level up, but will gain Destiny Points, by killing things and doing
quests, to upgrade the monster’s skills. Once a player’s regular character
gets to level 40, it can also enter the Ettenmoors to do battle against the
Monsters and try to hold the various locations against the Monsters.

Gameplay is the same as other RPGs. Control is through the mouse or keyboard
and players use weapons and magic that fits with the LOTR story. The camera
can be rotated and tilted as well as zoomed out or all of the way in to first-
person view. Armor and weapons change your appearance as well.

Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar – duplicate